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The Scottish King of England’s interest in combating the occult inspired Shakespeare and Salem.
King James IV of Scotland’s challenging childhood shaped his beliefs. The King is perhaps best known today for sponsoring the King James Bible, the English translation of the Bible that is one of the most important works in the English speaking world. James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Catholic Queen of Scotland who was imprisoned and ultimately exiled by her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. James was taken from his mother when he was about one year old. She was imprisoned by Protestant Scottish nobles who used the mysterious death of her husband, James, Lord Darnley, and subsequent marriage to the Earl of Bothwell to depose their Queen.
Thus the son of two Catholics, James was brought up wholly Protestant. This also made him an attractive heir to the English throne, as his Protestant cousin, Queen Elizabeth, was famously a virgin. This Protestant upbringing also inspired in James a great dedication to learning about the faith, and defending the faith from all challenges: including the occult.
James sailed to Denmark to fetch his bride, the Princess Anne. While the newlyweds were sailing back to Scotland, and storms imperiled their journey, causing a long delay in Norway. Ultimately, the ship was able to deliver the royal couple safely…
